Clinical characteristics and quality of life in seborrheic dermatitis patients: a cross-sectional study in China

Abstract

Background Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disorder, yet few studies have reported its clinical characteristics, or addressed its effect on quality of life (QoL). This study assesses the clinical characteristics and QoL of SD patients in China. It also identifies the clinical, demographic and environmental factors that may influence QoL. Methods Three hundred twelve SD outpatients from 9 hospitals completed a survey. QoL was measured with the dermatology-specific instrument Skindex-29. We collected social demographic characteristics and disease severity, and conducted logistic regression to determine the factors associated with QoL impairment. Results 67.3% of the patients were females. The mean Skindex-29 overall score was 33.97 (SD = 20.55). The breakdown was 40.79 (SD = 24.24) for emotions, 32.83 (SD = 19.84) for symptoms and 28.3 (SD = 23.24) for functioning. 48.1% had severe emotional problems. Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI less than 25 (OR = 0.223; 95% CI: 0.072–0.692; P = 0.009), skin disease-related hospitalization (OR = 6.882; 95% CI:1.767–26.795; P = 0.005), environmental PM 10 levels above 120 μg/m3 (OR = 3.386; 95% CI: 1.253–9.15; P = 0.016) and severe disease conditions (OR = 4.438; 95% CI:1.26–15.626; P = 0.02) were risk factors for severe emotional impairment. Moreover, skin disease-related hospitalization (OR = 6.057; 95% CI:1.351–27.149; P = 0.019), environmental PM 10 levels between 70 and 120 μg/m3 (OR = 6.317; 94% CI: 1.704–23.42; P = 0.006), moderate (OR = 2.388; 95% CI: 1.272–4.487; P = 0.007) and severe disease conditions (OR = 5.732; 95% CI: 1.838–17.88; P = 0.003) were each risk factors for overall severe impairment. Conclusion In China, nearly half of SD patients had severely emotional problems. Disease severity, BMI, dermatologic hospitalization, and ambient PM 10 levels are each risk factors for QoL impairment in SD patients. These implications are alarming, and warrant public health attention in SD disease management.

Global Burden, Incidence and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years for Dermatitis: A Systematic Analysis Combined With Socioeconomic Development Status, 1990–2019

“…SD may affect the sebaceous glands in areas such as the face and scalp and is mainly treated by the use of antifungal agents. Since short term treatment anti-inflammatory drugs (such as topical corticosteroids) may have side effects and are only used in the short term ( Clark et al., 2015 ), the improvement of modifiable lifestyle factors may help reduce the burden of disease ( Sanders et al., 2019 ) Furthermore, approximately 50% of SD patients in China have serious emotional problems, which may substantially affect their quality of life ( Xuan et al., 2020 ). This warrants global public health attention to SD.…”

“…A recent study also showed that men with light and dry skin are more likely to suffer from SD ( Sanders et al., 2018 ). However, a study of data from outpatients in nine hospitals in China found that 67.3% of SD patients were female ( Xuan et al., 2020 ). The ASIR and ASDR of SD showed an increasing trend for both males and females from 1990 to 2019.…”

Detection Of Some Immunological And Biochemical Markers In Seborrheic Dermatitis Patients

“…Various predisposing variables, such as fungus colonization and Sebaceous gland activity plus a number of other variables that determine an individual's vulnerability, have been discovered in investigations. Several lines of evidence point to Malassezia yeasts playing a pathogenic role in SD [4,5]. Malassezia are lipophilic yeasts found mostly in seborrheic areas of the body.…”

Combination of Strontium Chloride 5% and Licorice 1% Solution Compared Mometasone Furoate Solution 0.1% for Dandruff

“…In cases of pityriasis capitis simplex, squams and pruritus on the scalp are the most basic clinical findings. This clinical state significantly affects the quality of life in this patient group and causes the development of emotional problems such as impaired self-esteem 5 . In the USA, people spent 300 million dollars annually on "over-the-counter" products to relieve the complaints of squams and pruritus on the scalp 2 .…”